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Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), with a pungent and bitter taste, is warm in nature and non-toxic. It can open the orifices of the Heart, effectively promotes the flow of Qi, stops enuresis, calms the fetus and relieves irritability, and treats forgetfulness.
However, only those growing on rocks are considered superior; otherwise, they are ineffective. Nevertheless, it can only serve as an assistant drug (Zuo Shi) and cannot be used as the sovereign drug (Jun Yao). To open the orifices of the Heart, it must be paired with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) as the sovereign drug; to promote the flow of Qi, it must be paired with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) as the sovereign drug. To stop enuresis, large doses of Renshen and Cangzhu are required for efficacy. To calm fetal movement, large doses of Baizhu are necessary for success.

Someone asked: Since Shichangpu requires Renshen to be effective, is Shichangpu an optional herb? This is your undervaluation of Shichangpu. Shichangpu indeed has specific functions. For any closure of the orifices of the Heart, Shichangpu is indispensable for opening them; using Renshen alone would yield no effect. Thus, Renshen relies on Shichangpu to achieve its goal, not Shichangpu relying on Renshen. They mutually depend on and complete each other, making them indispensable in herbal medicine.

Someone asked: Why must Shichangpu have nine nodes to be considered superior? Market varieties often have more than nine nodes. Does the number of nodes matter? Shichangpu growing on rocks, even if small, can be used. The ancients selected those with nine nodes because "nine" symbolizes the opening of all orifices. In reality, Shichangpu opens the orifices of the Heart; once the Heart orifices are open, all orifices become patent.

Someone doubts that Shichangpu treats forgetfulness, yet it rarely shows efficacy for this condition. Why? Forgetfulness is caused by the closure of the orifices of the Heart. Closure of the Heart orifices stems from deficiency of Heart Qi. To tonify Heart deficiency, there is no herb other than Renshen. Without using Renshen to tonify deficiency and relying solely on Shichangpu to open orifices... [Text cuts off here]

Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), with a bitter and sweet taste, is cool in nature, heavy in texture, and Yin in character, containing Yang within Yin. It is non-toxic. It enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It tonifies deficiency consumptive diseases, kills parasites, moistens the five Zang organs, and enhances complexion. It specifically eliminates vexation and heat, is particularly effective in stopping coughs and calming wheezing, and has miraculous effects in stopping bleeding and resolving lung abscesses. However, its cool nature means excessive use damages Stomach Qi. People say Tianmendong is good at clearing deficient heat, but I believe this statement needs clarification. Tianmendong is only suitable for clearing excess fire; it is strictly contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns and should also be avoided in deficiency-heat patterns. Deficient heat invariably involves Stomach deficiency. If the Stomach is already deficient and further damaged by herbs that injure the Stomach, will Stomach Qi not perish? When the Stomach is injured, it transmits to the Spleen, injuring the Spleen as well. With both Spleen and Stomach injured, the upper body cannot accept food and fluids, and the lower body cannot transform waste. How can one expect tonification? Generally, for cases where Kidney Water is deficient and Kidney Fire flares upward, Tianmendong can be used temporarily to resolve the crisis. However, for cases of severe Kidney Cold with weak Kidney Water, it must never be used long-term for nourishing Yin.

Someone said: Tianmendong is moistening, so it can extinguish fire and thereby benefit water. You say it shouldn't be used long-term because of cold Kidney Fire. But if Kidney Fire is cold, it naturally shouldn't be used. What about cases where Kidney Water is not exhausted and Kidney Fire is not cold? Can these use it? This was something I did not mention before. If Kidney Water is not exhausted and Kidney Fire is not cold, the person is healthy. It seems taking Tianmendong would cause no harm. However, there are many tonifying herbs superior to Tianmendong. Why choose this cool-natured herb to daily suppress fire? Humans cannot live without Water and Fire; Water is generated by Fire, and Fire is nourished by Water. Only tonifying Water while draining Fire initially leads to declining Fire and rising Water, but over time, Fire disappears and Water perishes. This is why Tianmendong can only temporarily supplement Water and cannot be used long-term to drain Fire.

Someone asked: Using Tianmendong with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) can darken hair and beard, which is a long-term method to nourish the Kidneys. Yet you say Tianmendong is only for clearing excess fire. Can darkening hair and beard also be considered excess fire? Premature graying of hair and beard results not only from insufficient Kidney Water but also from surplus Kidney Fire. Since excess Fire arises from insufficient Water, using cold-cooling herbs to supplement Water is precisely using cold-cooling herbs to drain Fire. Moreover, when Tianmendong is used with Dihuang, its cooling property is moderated. The Kidneys receive the benefits of nourishment, and burnt, dry hair and beard will inevitably turn black again. Therefore, Tianmendong darkens hair and beard by draining excess fire, not deficient fire.

Someone asked: Tianmendong is excellent for treating consumption (Lao Zhai), yet you say it should only be taken temporarily. Can consumption be cured in one or two doses? Alas. Tianmendong is suitable for treating consumption only when the Spleen is robust, the Large Intestine is dry and constipated, and Lung Qi has flaming fire. Even then, it should only be taken in small amounts, not large ones. Cold-natured substances invariably damage Stomach Qi. A robust Spleen implies a robust Stomach. Dryness and constipation in the Large Intestine imply dryness and stagnation in the Lung. Tianmendong cools the Lung and simultaneously cools the Stomach, which is acceptable without adverse reactions. However, long-term use causes the Stomach to become cold, leading to a cold Spleen, and the Lung to become cold, leading to a cold Large Intestine. This is inevitable. How can one fail to prevent this beforehand?

Someone asked: Damp-heat flowing down to the Kidney can cause bone萎 (Wei syndrome - flaccidity). The Kidney desires firmness; urgently eating bitter substances firms it up, such as Tianmendong and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). Tianmendong is bitter and cold, entering the Kidney to clear heat, thus treating Wei syndrome. Why did you omit this? You know one part but not the other. Treating Wei syndrome must involve the Yangming channel. Although bone Wei belongs to the Kidney, the treatment method must concurrently treat the Stomach. Tianmendong is greatly cold and detrimental to Stomach Qi. Temporary use can treat Wei syndrome, but long-term use will damage the Stomach. If the Stomach is damaged, what benefit is there to the Kidney? Furthermore, the Stomach is the gatekeeper of the Kidney. Without the vitality and consolidation of the gatekeeper, how can the Kidney palace remain firm to strengthen bones and generate marrow? This is impossible. People follow the teachings of Huangbai and Zhimu, damaging Stomach Qi. How dare I, Chen Shiduo, promote Tianmendong for treating Wei syndrome and encourage the use of cold-natured herbs again? This is why I omitted it, to record my own error.

Someone doubts: Tianmendong drains excess fire, not deficient fire. Deficient fire is contraindicated, so why is excess fire not suitable for regular use? Although fire is divided into deficient and excess types, herbs that drain fire should only be used temporarily, not regularly. Tianmendong draining excess fire is not bad, but it is strange that people take it long-term. Humans need fire to live; temporarily reducing excess fire prevents it from scorching water. How can one take fire-draining herbs year after year? Long-term draining of fire inevitably transforms excess fire into deficient fire. Regular use must be strictly prohibited.

Someone doubts: Although Tianmendong is cold, if boiled thoroughly with rock sugar and honey until the bitter taste is gone, its cold nature is lost. Is this beneficial for Yin deficiency with fire agitation? Tianmendong retreats Yin fire precisely because of its bitter and astringent taste. If this taste is completely removed, what benefit remains? Or, fearing it is too cold, one might slightly reduce its bitterness and add a small amount of Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma), processed together with sugar and honey. This might be suitable for treating Yin deficiency coughs, benefiting both aspects.

Someone asked: Ancients claimed some took Tianmendong and became immortals. You depreciate its function, saying excessive use damages the Stomach. Are ancient words absurd? Alas! The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* heavily records longevity through ingestion. Are all these unbelievable? Generally, "longevity" means extending life, not achieving immortality. I truly believe eating Tianmendong can drive away disease, but claims of harvesting it to ascend to heaven remain in doubt.